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Estuary thryssa (Thryssa aestuaria) — Engraulidae

Estuary thryssa

Thryssa aestuaria
Family: Engraulidae

The Estuary thryssa (Thryssa aestuaria) is a brackish-water fish of the family Engraulidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
13.8 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–50.0 m
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea

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Description

The Estuary thryssa is an anchovy (Engraulidae) from coastal, estuarine and lower river water around Australia and the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny lengthwise stripe and a projecting snout with inferior mouth. As a social schooling fish it swims in open water and filters plankton and small crustaceans. It is locally an important bait and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Estuary thryssa?

The Estuary thryssa has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Estuary thryssa live?

The Estuary thryssa lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea

How big does the Estuary thryssa get?

The Estuary thryssa grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Estuary thryssa dangerous to humans?

No, the Estuary thryssa is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Estuary thryssa (Thryssa aestuaria) — Engraulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jordan H, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Estuary thryssa (Thryssa aestuaria) — Engraulidae — 3
FAO (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Estuary thryssa (Thryssa aestuaria) — Engraulidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Oscar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Estuary thryssa (Thryssa aestuaria) — Engraulidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Oscar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Estuary thryssa sourced
Scientific name
Thryssa aestuaria
Family
Engraulidae
Other names
Estuarine thryssa; Estuary anchovy; Snubnose thryssa; Snub-nosed anchovy; Southern anchovy verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Papua New Guinea sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Thryssa

More from the family Engraulidae

Fin

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